Duke Energy Plans New Natural Gas Power Plant in Anderson County to Meet SC Growth

GREENVILLE, USA (June 9, 2025) – Duke Energy has announced its plans to submit an application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) to get approval for building a new natural gas power plant in Anderson County.

Why is this happening? Duke Energy serves nearly 860,000 electric customers across 30 counties in South Carolina. The company needs to add a significant amount of new electricity generation quickly to keep up with the state’s booming economic development and population growth. Adding proven natural gas technology to the grid is seen as a way to respond to these growing energy demands, supporting efforts by state leaders to address these needs.

The project will also benefit from a recent major partnership between Duke Energy and GE Vernova. GE Vernova will provide natural gas turbines and other equipment, which are manufactured right there in Greenville, South Carolina.

According to the announcement, Duke Energy expects to file the formal construction application with the PSCSC later this year. If everything gets approved, construction is planned to start in the summer of 2027, with the facility expected to be ready to serve customers by early 2031.

By the numbers, the company plans to build the facility on nearly 200 acres located on Highway 81 South, near True Temper Road in Anderson County. The location is considered advantageous because it can utilize existing transmission infrastructure nearby.

The proposed plant would add about 1,400 megawatts of electricity capacity, which is a big boost to support the homes and businesses in the rapidly growing region and the state as a whole. The design of the facility is also noted as innovative because it would significantly reduce the need for large amounts of water, putting less strain on the county’s water systems.

What’s next for folks living near the proposed site? Starting this week, residents, property owners, and businesses in the area will receive more information about the project. They’ll also get details on how they can share their feedback with the company.

You can find additional details about the proposed project via http://www.duke-energy.com/AndersonEnergy.

State and local leaders shared their thoughts on the announcement:

• Gov. Henry McMaster: Highlighted the project as “reliable, forward-looking” and “necessary steps to meet our state’s rising energy demand.”
• Speaker of the House Murrell Smith: Called it a “direct response to that need” for reliable infrastructure that can keep pace with growth, applauding it as a “forward-thinking solution.”
• Senate President Thomas Alexander: Expressed gratitude for the “significant investment” and commitment to “ensure South Carolina has the energy capacity.”
• Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn: Saw the project as reflecting the “enduring relationship” with Duke Energy and bringing “substantial and essential” benefits to the community.
• Duke Energy South Carolina President Tim Pearson: Described it as a “critical point in planning for South Carolina’s reliable, affordable and resilient energy future” and a “critical piece of that strong energy future.”

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is one of America’s largest energy holding companies, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. The company serves 8.6 million electric customers across six states, including North and South Carolina, and operates gas utilities serving 1.7 million customers in five states. Duke Energy is working on a significant energy transition, investing in grid upgrades and cleaner generation sources like natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage, while focusing on reliability and value for customers.

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